So You Think You Care About The Environment?

1. So You Think You Care About The Environment? Peter Hancocks Senior Ecologist

2. So You Think You Care About The Environment?Of course you do!

3. So You Think You Care About The Environment? • I specialise in wildlife surveys and mitigation strategies and manage all the ecology work ADAS carries out for SSE. I also work for other DNO’s, including WPD and UKPN

4. So You Think You Care About The Environment? • A brief look at some of the key environmental issues (with an emphasis on protected species) that affect vegetation management and an exploration of a range of potential solutions.

5. Vegetation Management and Ecology • Legislation • Specific protected species incl. survey timings and methods • Solutions • Shelf-life of reports

6. Why Do We Need to Consider Ecological Issues? • Legislation • Personal and Company Accountability • Customer Expectations • Profile/Reputation • Future Business

7. Legislation • The potential presence of protected sites or protected species on a site, should be considered • Prosecutions can result • Not everyone understands the law!

8. Legislation / Duties • Pests Act 1954 • Forestry Act 1967 (Felling Licence) • Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) • Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (TPOs) • Planning (Listed Building & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 • Protection of Badgers Act 1992 • Hedgerows Regulations 1997 • CROW Act 2000 • Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (sites) • Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 • Biodiversity Action Plan Habitats and Species

9. ‘The Birds and the Bees’….and the Trees…. • Generally, with the exception of hedges, no habitats are protected per-se • Many are BAP habitats • Some sites are protected

10. Protected Sites

11. Protected Sites • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) – for habitats and species • Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) – for habitats and species • Special Protection Areas (SPA’s) – for birds • SINC’s/LWS’s

12. Protected Sites • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) – for habitats and species - NB linear SSSI’s in the New Forest – they’re under transmission lines!

13. Protected Sites • MAGIC http://magic.defra.gov.uk/ • Nature on the Map http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/ • CCW http://www.ccw.gov.uk/interactive-maps/protected-sites-map.aspx • SNH http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/ • NIEA http://maps.ehsni.gov.uk/naturalheritage/default.aspx

14. Protected Sites • Prepare Method Statement and seek assent or agreement from the relevant statutory authority

15. ‘The Birds and the Bees’! • Most wildlife species are protected

16. ‘The Birds and the Bees’! • Most wildlife species are protected • Some are rare or uncommon

17. ‘The Birds and the Bees’! • Most wildlife species are protected • Some are rare or uncommon • Others are common or even abundant in at least some places

18. Finding them….. • Landowner Information – unreliable • Contractor Surveys/Walkovers/Look-sees • EcoCheckTM Surveys – overview of the site and issues • Protected Species Surveys – specialist surveys for identified species. • (Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Protected Species Assessment – for submission with a Planning Application)

19. Species and Solutions

20. Species and Solutions Will consider in order of frequency of issues

21. Birds

22. Birds Birds nest in scrub, hedges, trees, ruderal vegetation, short crops, bare ground – anywhere…

23. Birds All bird nests are protected whilst they are occupied or being built

24. Birds All bird nests are protected whilst they are occupied or being built – even ‘pest species’

25. Birds All bird nests are protected whilst they are occupied or being built – even ‘pest species’. Some birds, such as Barn Owl, Peregrine, Kingfisher & Cetti’s Warbler, are specially protected whilst they are nesting (Schedule 1).

26. Nesting Birds – what to do • Schedule 1 species – get out of there!

27. Nesting Birds – what to do • Schedule 1 species – get out of there! Others:- • Prevent nesting • Inspect, keep working but don’t destroy the nest, however best to avoid the immediate area, seek advice, wait until young have fledged Prevent birds from nesting by netting area before the main bird nesting season begins

28. Very common in many parts of the UK Badgers

29. It is an offence to disturb Badgers whilst occupying a sett, or damage or block a Badger sett Badgers

30. Disturbance licenses used to be required Badgers

31. …but Badgers are very tolerant of disturbance Badgers

32. …but Badgers are very tolerant of disturbance Badgers

33. In England, disturbance licenses now rarely required due to recent NE guidelines Badgers

34. Identify and document Badgers – what to do

35. Cart away from sett Badgers – what to do

36. Cart away from settChip away from sett Badgers

37. Cart away from settChip away from sett (both avoid disturbance and blocking) Badgers

38. Leave tidy Badgers

39. Seek advice if in any doubt Badgers

40. Badgers – summary • Survey and document • Modify works to avoid sett damage or Badger disturbance • If sett damage likely - undertake works under licence (1 July – 30 Nov)

41. Hazel Dormouse Generally rare

42. Hazel Dormouse Widespread

43. Hazel Dormouse …but thin on the ground Rare, but highly protected

44. Hazel Dormouse • Dormice and their nests are specially protected (European Protected Species)

45. Dormouse Surveying Only two affective methods: • Searching for Hazel nut shells

46. Dormouse Surveying Only two affective methods: • Searching for Hazel nut shells • Nest Tubes – preferred method

47. Dormice – what to do • Assessment/Survey

48. Dormice – what to do • Assessment/Survey • Work under Method Statement – timing critical – winter best – not Jun to mid-Aug

49. Dormice – what to do • Assessment/Survey • Undertake works under licence • Justification for works (Reasoned Statement of Application) • Onerous conditions (maintenance of habitat) • Work under supervision

50. Bats • 17-18 UK species of bat • Widespread and generally increasing in numbers